Former Irish Test referee Owen Doyle says Springbok lock Lood de Jager deserved a straight red card against France.
De Jager’s shoulder made contact with fullback Thomas Ramos’ head just before half time of Saturday’s Test in Paris.
After consulting with the TMO, referee Angus Gardner deemed the tackle “always illegal” and issued a permanent red card.
“De Jager’s action certainly merited the dismissal,” Doyle wrote in his Irish Times column. “However, getting consistency in the interpretation of those words, particularly ‘intentional’, across the two hemispheres will not be easy.
“There has always been immense, nearly intolerable pressure, from coaches, commentators and pundits down south that the straight red should only be utilised for egregious acts. That is unlikely to change, making things very difficult for the officials.”
EX-ALL BLACKS: Lood didn’t deserve straight red
Turning to the nature of the offence itself, Doyle dismissed arguments that Ramos’ low position mitigated the danger.
“It was not just a cheap shot, De Jager had a clear line of sight from a long way out. His action was brutally dangerous with no mitigation to be found.
“There are plenty of people who claim Ramos was so low that De Jager had no other option. This viewpoint doesn’t come close to cutting the mustard.”
KEO: Give the match officials the red card
Doyle called for World Rugby to make an unequivocal statement supporting the officials’ judgement.
“There has been a hue and cry about this card in South Africa and elsewhere down south. Leadership is needed on this from World Rugby.
“It can take the shape of a clear, unequivocal statement that it was correct not to go to the bunker, that the issuing of a red card was appropriate.”
MALLETT: Boks courageous, red card harsh
Doyle also questioned France’s handling of the incident.
“There are others who tell us that as Ramos did not need a head injury assessment (HIA), the foul play was not so serious. As if that fact is somehow relevant to the decision.
“Do those who peddle this reasoning really believe that the level of injury should dictate the punishment? It would certainly make for a very interesting sanction chart.
“However, given the severity of the hit, a HIA for Ramos would certainly have been appropriate. France need to explain why it didn’t happen.”
“Straight red, I can’t agree with that”
Schalla on Lood de Jager’s red card 🟥
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